SAFE LiDAR Act
Sponsored By: Representative Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8]
Introduced
Summary
Would block the use of foreign-adversary LiDAR technology in the United States and limit partnerships with producers tied to adversary countries. The bill creates deadlines, narrow exemptions, waiver paths, enforcement tools, and a transition program to reduce national-security and supply-chain risks from adversary-controlled LiDAR.
Show full summary
- Would bar covered foreign-adversary LiDAR use in critical infrastructure within five years, with waivers up to three years for national-security needs or to prevent critical-function interruptions.
- Would prohibit transactions that result in domestic use of covered foreign-adversary LiDAR three years after enactment and would make certain joint ventures or licensing with adversary producers unlawful; enforcement can include civil penalties under 50 U.S.C. 1705 and injunctive relief.
- Would allow narrow exceptions for U.S. government testing, academic research, and export-only integration, and would create a 90-day transition mitigation program with expert reviewers and required reports to Congress.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
Bans on foreign-adversary LiDAR use
If enacted, the bill would bar covered companies from using LiDAR made, controlled, or materially facilitated by listed foreign adversaries. The general ban would start three years after enactment. For critical infrastructure and federal systems, products not already in use would be banned immediately and products in use before enactment would be banned five years after enactment. The bill would also ban new partnerships, joint ventures, or licensing arrangements with those foreign-adversary LiDAR makers starting on the date of enactment, while the Commerce Department must publish an annual list of covered critical sectors and name the listed foreign adversary countries.
Enforcement rules and divestment path
If enacted, the bill would let the Commerce Secretary seek civil penalties (capped at the amount in 50 U.S.C. 1705) and ask courts to stop or unwind illegal deals. The Secretary must give a written explanation and allow 30 days to respond before enforcement. The bill creates a presumption that covered deals made in the 180 days before enactment were intended to frustrate the law unless rebutted, and allows courts to review Secretary decisions. It also sets a formal approval path for companies to fully divest foreign-adversary ties, requiring proof that control, data flows, and intellectual property have been transferred to non-adversary parties.
Annual reports on LiDAR risks
If enacted, the Commerce Secretary would send Congress a report within one year and annually after that. The report could include a classified annex. It would list enforcement actions, waivers granted (with identifying information), emerging LiDAR threats, and any efforts by the People's Republic of China or related actors to evade the law.
Waivers, exemptions, and transition help
If enacted, the Commerce Secretary would be able to grant case-by-case waivers and give advisory opinions to users. Some waivers for covered persons could last up to three years and not be renewed, while waivers for critical infrastructure could require a mitigation agreement. The Secretary would have to start a stakeholder outreach and compliance guidance program within 90 days and name two technical experts within 90 days, and advisory opinions must be provided within 180 days of a petition. If U.S. supply of trusted LiDAR is too small, the Secretary could delay the ban for two years and then grant additional 180-day extensions after fresh findings; these extensions could be challenged in court.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8]
IL • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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